Hear for You JANUARY 2017 www.gda.org.
Welcome Dear GDA friends and supporters The start of the calendar year is often a favourite time at GDA. Memories are still fresh from our Christmas parties held for our Friendship Circle members and also Cirencester Deaf Children’s Club (CDCC). It’s a natural time as well to reflect on the last twelve months and think how much has been achieved for deaf adults and children in Gloucestershire, which is due not just to the dedication of our staff and volunteers, but also to the wonderful support we receive from donors and from fundraisers. In many ways 2016 proved an outstanding year, and some of the reasons why are featured in this latest edition of our newsletter. We have launched a deaf friendly Forest School for children and young people; we have organised workshops, visits t police stations and created sign language films around different aspects of safety; w have visited more people at home than ever before to install listening aid equipmen we have set up regular hearing aid clinics around the county for new batteries, cleaning and re-tubing; we have launched an e-learning ‘Understand Deafness’ training programme; and we have achieved 100% fulfilment on every one of our fiv public sector contracts. As we look ahead to 2017, may I take this opportunity to thank everyone who suppo GDA in one way or another. We simply could not achieve half of what we do withou you. Wishing you all the best for the year ahead. GET IN TOUCH Telephone - 01452 372999 Text - 07875 610860 Email - admin@gda.org.uk Website - www.gda.org.uk Colin Road, Barnwood, Gloucester, GL4 3JL Opening hours - Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm. Friday 9am to 4pm
to we ent; ve orts out Sally s story Hi, please introduce yourself I am Sally Gillespie. I am mum to Callum who is 3 and a half. Callum was born hearing but at nine months developed bacterial menigitis. Thankfully he survived but he was left with hearing loss in both ears and as a result he now wears hearing aids. How has GDA helped you and your family? We've been attending Cirencester Deaf Children's Club (CDCC) for two years and we go every month. It’s been fantastic for me to speak to other parents and for Callum to engage with other children. The realisation that deaf children can do most things other children can do - such as go to the pantomime and enjoy music - has been very comforting. We didn’t know anything about deafness so it's been a massive learning cur and CDCC has been a fantastic support mechanism. What has been the biggest change you’ve seen in Callum as a result of the support you’ve had? His confidence has grown tremendously, and you can see him learn how to focus better and join in. I'd recommend CDCC and GDA to anyone with a deaf child. It is scary; I remember being petrified – I'd never been around deaf children before, but I've learnt no to be scared. Talking to other parents has been hugely valuable. And finally, tell us a little more about you – what’s your ideal day out in Gloucestershire? We love going to Pitville Park in Cheltenham and getting ice-cream and hot chocolates with marshmallows. We'd probably finish with a roast dinner and a trip to the pool swimming - a perfect weekend treat. New hearing-aid clinics announced GDA has launched a number of new free hearing-aid clinics across Gloucestershire. New clinics are now also taking place in Coleford, Stroud and Cam. The clinics are an opportunity for NHS hearing-aid wearers to get hearing-aids retubed, cleaned and get new batteries. Our technicians are also available to offer impartial advise on specialist listening aid equipment that can help you hear at home. Find a clinic near you at www.gda.org.uk or call 01452 372999. Booking is essential for most clinics.
GDA news The Honeyford Communication Pot In August we hosted our first ever Play Your Cards Right game night, our take on the TV show hosted by Bruce Forsyth in the 90s, and its aim was to raise fund to launch a new BSL communication service. The Honeyford Communication Pot has been set up in memory of our deaf friend and colleague, Barbara Honeyford, who sadly passed away two years ago As a much loved BSL interpreter, this fund seeme most fitting way to honour her memory and dedication to our local Deaf community. The pot of money will be used to provide Deaf people with BSL interpreters in key situations where funding isn't available. The night itself was a big success with lots of laughs and audience participation. We started off with 40 players and each of them battled their way through the rounds to compete for the £50 cash prize - huge congratulations to Steve who won the prize, and who so generously shared it with his pal, Patrick. We were absolutely delighted and honoured to have Steve, Barbara Honeyford's partner, with us for the night. It was a truly fitting way to remember Barbara and kick-start our new Honeyford Communication Pot. GDA awarded Level 2 PQASSO Quality Mark GDA has become the first user-led charity in the county to achieve the PQASSO Quality Mark at level 2, a nationally recognised accreditation that gives both users and commissioners an external valuation of the quality and credibility of an organisation. After months of evidence gathering for a desktop review of procedures, followed by a full two-day on-site inspection, GDA was given the new via a glowing report, which included the comment, “It was very apparent to the assessor that managers, staff and volunteers are inspired and motivated by being part of a well led and ambitious organisation to deliver high quality services”. PQASSO is the only kitemark endorsed by the Charity Commission as meeting the Hallmarks of an Effective Charity.
rs ws rt he GDA news Police Commissioner's Fund GDA is coming towards the end of a two- year safety project funded by the Police Commissioner’s Fund. It has proved both valuable and impactful. Recent activities have included a very interesting visit from the Forest of Dean Hard of Hearing Club to Coleford Police Station, where members were treated to an afternoon talk around safety issues; a police talk also at the Cirencester Hard of Hearing Club; and a BSL film on ‘What action to take during an emergency’, which to date has attracted more than 11,000 views on GDA’s Facebook Community Page. South Gloucestershire Following the closure of South Gloucestershire Deaf Association in March 2016, GDA is now tasked with expanding a limited number of servic into South Gloucestershire. Additiona funding from South Gloucestershire commissioners will need to be urgent secured in order for GDA to provide a adequate level of support for deaf an hard of hearing people, but we are currently in consultation with South Gloucestershire Council among other and in the meantime making best use a small pot of money given to GDA by our friends at SGDA. Building changes at GDA GDA has undergone further improvements to its site in recent months, including a new pedestrian walkway from the road directly into the Community Centre that avoids walking across the car park; and also an updated and expanded office reception area. Friendship Circle Christmas party On Tuesday 22nd November we hosted our most popular Friendship Circle social event ever with over 70 guests coming from across the county to enjoy a delicious festive lunch, cooked by Yumma Food, and entertainment from the Wye Valley Singers. GDA's Friendship Circle is proving an extremely popular and valuable social club for those with an acquired hearing loss, and it was wonderful on this occasion, to welcome lots of new faces to GDA. It is free to join - for more information contact 01452 372999.
GDA news Going the Extra Mile (GEM) GDA is delighted to have been selected as one of nearly forty delivery partners on a major new European Funded project in Gloucestershire. It's called GEM (which stands for 'Going the Extra Mile') and its aim is to engage with and support Gloucestershire's hardest-to-reach, most vulnerable unemployed and financiallyexcluded people, who face multiple barriers to work. GDA's role will be to work with participants who are deaf or hard of hearing, who m also be facing other challenges and to help move them closer towards education, training, volunteering or work, including self-employment. This project is a partnership of community focused organisations, managed by Gloucestershire Gateway Trust on behalf of Gloucestershire County Council. The GEM Project is jointly funded by the Big Lo and European Social Fund. As a delivery partner, GDA is now inviting anyone who is deaf and looking for help towards further education, training, volunteering, employment or self employment to get in touch with us. Please note this project has a strict eligibility criteria - this will be discussed with you upon inquiry. Want to know more? Contact Reg Cobb on reg.cobb@gda.org.uk, on Skype as gda-reg.cobb or on FaceTime as admin@gda.org.uk. Sad news about John Yates It's with great sadness that we pass on the news that John Yates passed away on Saturday 27th August. John was a long time friend of GDA and to the local Deaf Community. As a local man, John’s association with GDA goes back many years. He was a member of the GDA Council of Management at various times during the 1990s and early years of the 21st century. John was also a member of the Hard of Hearing Forum. John’s concern and compassion for Deaf and hard of hearing people continued to the end. He will be greatly missed by everyone at GDA.
a may He Club updates CDCC (Cirencester Deaf Children's Club) kicked off their new term in September with something new for the grown-ups. While the children have enjoyed visits from hedgehogs and the local police, and doing crafts and music, parents and carers have been invited to join GDA in a separate room for Family Support Sessions. Each session has focused on a different area of interest, but always related to deafness, including Family Sign lessons. In the future we’ll be hosting sessions on behaviour and identity, as well as inviting other parents of deaf children to come and share their experience. CDCC ended 2016 with their annual Christmas party where the children decorated Christmas trees which were kindly donated by GWP Group. During the summer holidays we launched the Deaf-friendly Forest School; a unique opportunity for youn people with hearing loss to experience the great outdoors in the enchanting wooded surroundings at Hartpury College. To date 24 children and ten adults, all with varying levels of deafne have taken part in a variety of activitie including nature art, mud painting, de building (and waterproof testing!), wa play, bug hunting and toasting marshmallows, deaf-friendly hide and seek and much more. The school not only offers participants the chance to explore nature but to do so in a safe a total communication environment, Whether a child communicates orally or using BSL, t be assured tha they will be included in all activities. For future school dates call GDA on 01452 372999. GDA's Lunch Club continues to be a very popular club with 42 people, on average, a month coming to enjoy a home cooked lunch, provided by volunteers Kim and Yvonne, helped by Sandra and Natasha. In August the group ventured to Weston Super Mare where the sunny weather allowed them to stroll the promenade and savour the fresh sea air.
Club updates Gloucestershire Deafened and Cochlear Implant Support Group (GDCISG) have enjoyed a range of activities over the last few months. During the summer months they enjoyed a guided tour of Tewkesbury Abbey, a summer garden party, a 5 mile walk round the Sculpture Trail in the Forest of Dean and a social event with a buffe lunch at GDA. More recently they hosted a Technology Day. It was organized by the National Cochlear Implant Users Association (NCIUA) and the day consisted of presentations by each of the three Cochlear Implant manufacturers about their late speech processors and accessories. In the afternoon everyone had the opportunity speak to the reps individually, to ask questions and try out equipment. Their membership continues to grow and two more members have recently received thei CI's and are making good progress. If you would like to know more about GDCISG please email cathnkiln@izat.myzen.co.uk or contact GDA on 01452 372999. Gloucester Deaf Club (GDC) enjoyed a day trip to Weymouth back in July. Thankfully the weather was kind to them and they were able to enjoy the beautiful seaside surroundings. In September the club welcomed Bridgwater Deaf Club to Gloucester. The two clubs spent a fun evening playing bingo and others games, while catching up with friends. It's been another busy few months wi Gloucestershire Hard of Hearing club The Gloucester club in particular has welcomed a number of new members their group, as has the Cheltenham club. Speakers including Brockworth Hedgehog Rescue and Reverend Stev Morris, among others, have attended club meetings across the county to share tales about their work. In addit the clubs have been on various outin including an idyllic boat trip from Gloucester to Saul in August. New members are always welcome, a anyone wishing to join is invited to contact the GDA office on 01452 3729 or email admin@gda.org.uk to find ou more.
et he test y to eir with bs. s rs to ve d tion, ngs and 999 out A thank you from us to you VOLUNTEERS Chris Averiss Jenny Beadle Richard Busby Sandra Chandler Yvonne Cobb Catherine Cook Hannah Ede Kim Fletcher Richard Fletcher Chris Gardner Emily Gill Jackie Gloyn Natasha Griffey Catherine Harkness Rory Haynes Nic Hewlett Graham Howell Lucy Lea Peter Maynard Jonathan Moffitt Fran Morgan Rosemary Morgan Caitlin Nolan Justine Norman Charlotte O'Connor Lesley Reeve Michael Sadler Christina Snell Sandra Silk Marita Westgate Judy Wood Thanks to the anonymous donors and volunteers who regularly give their time and money to GDA. FUNDRAISERS Toby Aiken Claire Beeley Jim Beeley Megan Brunton Gemma Buckley Yvonne Cobb Kate Davies Hannah Ede Tracy Ellis Kim Fletcher Chris Gardner Jackie Gloyn Emma Jenkins Jonathan Moffitt Richard Sills Jim Thomson Thanks to ALL who donate to GDA. There ar too many to mention, but we are continuous grateful for their generosity. CORPORATE DONORS Barnwood General Works Coventry Building Society Ecclesiastical Endsleigh Insurance GWP Group HB Digital JSM Promotional Gifts Kingscott Dix M&S and BP Garages Red Apple Garage Red Lemon St James Place Wealth TSB Head Office, Barnwood
Happy New Year from the GDA family
In aid of GDA It's been a busy season of half marathons at GDA recently with supporters taking on the Cheltenham, Oxford and Stroud Half Marathons during September and October. Gemma Buckley, Richard Sills and Jim Thomson took on the 13.1 mile courses and between them they have raised over £1,400 for GDA. Huge thanks and congratulations to each of our runners on their fantastic achievements. We are very excited to have been announced as the charity partner of TSB's Gloucestershire Head Office in Barnwood. Over the coming year, TSB partners will be carrying out a whole host of fundraising activities including a Christmas market, quiz nights and sweepstakes. Debbie Waterland at TSB Barnwood, said: “GDA is a local cause that’s close to people hearts here in Barnwood and we are delighted to welcome them as our new Local Charity Partner. We’re busy planning lots of fundraising activities for the coming months and can’t wait to build our partnership with GDA and support the vital work that they do for our local community." The partners at TSB will be hoping to raise £3,500 for GDA during the year's partnership. On 22nd October, GDA and a team players from Gloucester Deaf Footb Club headed to the New Lawn Stadium, home of Forest Green Rovers (FGR), for the book launch o 'The Rise of Forest Green Rovers; The Road to Wembley' which has been written by GDA Chair Chris Gardne in aid of GDA. The day was a huge success with book sales totalling ov £1,200, plus an additional £300 kin donated by FGR supporters. To dat the book has raised nearly £4,000 f GDA. Thanks to Chris for such a generous gesture; to Gloucester De FC for their support at the launch, a to FGR for their help in promoting the book. Copies for £12.99 are available at GDA.
m of tball of e er, ver ndly ate for eaf and A shout out to the following groups and businesses who have recently donated to GDA. Our sincere thanks to: Jim Beeley who, as Sheriff of Gloucester 2015/2016, raised £3,154.60 for GDA. St James' Place Wealth who donated £300 towards the work of Cirencester Dea Children's Club (CDCC). Newent Community School for raising £108 at a student and teacher collection An anonymous donor who kindly gave £3,500. The money has been requested to support our new YOUChoose service and children's activities. Endsleigh Insurance and Zurich Community Trust who donated £100 following a staff vote. Red Apple Garage who have been collecting for GDA and to date have raised over £658 for GDA. Zumba with Jane who raised £220 following a raffle draw during which GDA wa chosen as the winning charity. Brockhampton Village Hall who raised £300 at an open day. Team GDA's next fundraising challenge We've done triathlons, we run half marathons and we've jumped out of planes. So, what next? Why, the Three Peak Challenge of course. On Friday 19th May 2017 a tea of GDA supporters and staff will be making their way to Scotland to take on the firs of the three tallest peaks in the UK, Ben Nevis in Scotland. They'll then be attempti Scafell in England and Snowdon in Wales. And what's more, they'll be hoping to complete the challenge in 24 hours! The team of twelve is made up of Deaf and hearing brave adventurers and over the next few months they'll be putting in hours of training and lots of fundraising effort with initiatives including car washes, quiz nights and a photoshoot. They've already topped the £1,400 fundraising total so they're well on target to making this our biggest fundraising challenge to date. If you'd like to give our heroic adventurers a boost you can donate to their challenge at www.justgiving.com/gda.
y y, GDA Trustee Jackie Gloyn is inviting people to win a chance to stay in Normandy in her annual raffle draw. The lucky winners will get to stay in a typical French house, situated in the small town of Lessay which is just ten minutes away from the miles o sandy Normandy beaches. The accommodation sleeps six and has a walled garden with terrace. To enter simply send £5 in an envelope to GDA, Colin Road, Barnwood Gloucester, GL4 3JL by Tuesday 14th February 2017. Please remember to include yo name, address, contact number, email and quote NORMANDY5. The winner will be selected at random and notified shortly afterwards. The winners will be responsible for arranging their own transport to and from Lessay and bookings will be subject t the owners availability. Christmas Pantomime trip Every year we host a trip to the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham to see a special BSL pantomime performance. This year, we send our sincere thanks to Mrs Bamber for her generous donation of £550 which she has made in memory of her husband, towards the cost of the trip. In a few weeks time, children and adults will head to the theatre to enjoy the hilarious 'Jack and the Beanstalk' starring GDA favourite, Tweedy the Clown. We'll share pictures from the trip in our next issue. DATES FOR YOUR DIARY JANUARY 2017 * Saturday 7th - 'Jack and the Beanstalk' Pantomime trip. FEBRUARY * Friday 10th - Pamper evening at GDA, from 7pm * Tuesday 14th - Normandy holiday raffle draw deadline. MARCH * Friday 3rd - quiz night at GDA, 7pm MAY * Saturday 13th - car wash and coffee and cake morning at GDA, 9am to 1pm * Friday 19th to Sunday 21st - Three Peak Challenge. JUNE * Tuesday 27th - Friendship Circle Summer party at GDA 1pm to 3pm.
n , of n od, our be le to m Listening aid equipment to help you at home Introducing the Signolux Visual Alert System - £53.94 including P&P Signolux (pronounced ‘Sig – no – lux’) An exciting new addition to our range of equipment, the all-singing, all-dancing Signolux visual signal system. This versatile and compact system, with a range of up to 200 metres can be used as an alert for the doorbell, smoke alarm and telephone. It's portable and wireless so you can take it anywhere in the home, including the garden The flashing light and picture on the receiver will alert you if something is happening even you're wearing headphones or you're on the loop. Don't just take our word for it... "The Signolux has improved my life so much. It has stopped me worrying about not hearing people coming to the door and missing them." Mr Ash, Gloucestershire HEALTH COMMUNICATION AND CARE CARD Get your Signolux at www.gda.org.uk or call 01452 372999. We have devised a useful form to help ensure you receive the correct communication support at your doctor and hospital appointments. You can download the form on the GDA website at www.gda.org.uk or pick up a copy at any of our free hearing-aid clinics. Once you've filled your form in, hand it in to your doctors surgery for them to update your records.
2016 - and the impact we made we served meals at our deaf lunch club 20,661 The miles gda travelled to support deaf people in their homes or close to home 1,287 Times we provided BSL communication support 24 6 children and their families attended this year's Deaf Children's Club Christmas party We successfully launched the Deaf-friendly Forest School with pilot sessions. * results for 2 weeks in December are estimates based on trends. 2,595 851 room hire bookings at th GDA Community Cent We have re-tubed and cleaned hearing aids f people at our hearing aid clini Number of people we visited at their homes to install specialist listening aid equipment 1,012 1,735 drop-in visits for advice and suppor 528
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